Pipe brushing apparatus



May 5, 1953 c. F. MoRAlN 2,637,056

PIPEBRUSHING APPARATUS me/Mom CLIFFORD F. MORAIN May 5, 1953 c. F.MORAIN PIPE BRUSHING APPARATUS 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed March '7, 1949CLIFFORD F. MORAIN w Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEPIPE BRUSHING APPARATUS Clifford F. Morain, Youngstown, OhioApplicationMarc'h 7, 1949, Serial No. 80,074

7 Claims.

This invention relates to pipe cleaning .apparatus and more particularlyto a power driven brushing assembly which is adapted to havelongitudinally relative movement with respect to a pipe length or a pipeline to remove rust, scale and other debris from the exterior 4surta/ceof the pipe. The invention seeks to provide .a 'more practical apparatusfor the stated purposes yand more particularly, apparatus of this naturewhich is simple in design yet rugged and durable .in operation and whichis operative 4to applyto ythe exterior surface of the pipe a moreintense and rapid brushing action than has heretofore been obtained inapparatus heretofore proposed .for the stated purpose.

.Another and more specific object of the invention is the .provisionofan improved pipe brushing machine or the type .applicable to `aneaistingvcontinuous pipe line, of .an .improved arrangement for ailixing Atheapparatus .on the pipe line and detaching the vsan-le therefrom, and ofan improved b-rush construction .therefor 'whereby the brushes 4employedwill have arnuch greater total contacting area and consequently a muchlonger life as compared with the useful lite oi the brushes now employedin similar apparatus.

The above general objects are attained by the present inventionprimarily `by employing a plurality of circumferentially spacedelongated but flexible power driven .brushing elements, each of whichassumes espiral position about 'thefeirterior surface of the pipe beingcleaned when the apparatus is set up i'or operation. Thespiral'positions assumed by the brushes are sufficiently tight 'that thetrailing ends `of the respective .brushes overlap the leading ends ofthe brushes ln a ilongitu dinal direction so that all the ysurface oithe pipe is erlectively cleaned by a single longitudinal pass of theapparatus over the pipe. .Since the brushes rotate at high speed abouttheir own `curved axes, e-iective and `rapid cleaning yaction is.attained even While the apparatus traverses the pipe line at a fairlyvhigh .rate of speed.

By varying the angle of twist or tightness of the spiral positions oithe respective brushes `the apparatus may be readily adjusted for4operation on pipe lines of different diameters, particularly if thelongitudinal spacing of the ends of the flexible brushes is maintainedsubstantially constant. ln this regard another valuable feature of theapparatus of the invention is. that by yieldingly anchoring the trailingends of the brushes against movement in a iorward longitudinal ydirection the flexible brushes may readily yield in a radially outwarddirection to `pass over common al couplings and other Vminor protrusionsWhich may appear on the outer'surface of the pipe line.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon lconsideration of thefollowing detailed specinca-tion and.the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed .a preferredembodiment ol' the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of .a pipe brushing machine rconstructed inaccordance with the principles .of my invention;

Figure 2 is va front elevation of the apparatus of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along the line III- III of Figurel;

Figure 4 is a .fragmentary section taken along the line IV-IV of Figure3;

Figure 5 isa fragmentary detailed View showing the Ystructure of .onelof the assemblies .of the apparatus;

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken along the line VI-VI lof .Figure5; and

Figure '7 is `a sectional view illustrating the anchoring of one endofone of the brush supporting cables of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing in detail the .refers ence numeral llldesignates a rigid frame adapted to be supported in longitudinalalignment `above a pipe line -ll by means of serrated ,mounting rollersl2 which are journaled in .blocks depending from the frame l0. Supportedon the frame lil vis an .engine I3 which is preferably of the automotivetype and as such is provided with an attached speed changingtransmission lil and a built-.in clutch. For actuating the latter Iprovide an operating lever l5. Extending rearwardly of the transmissioni4 is a drive shaft on which smounted asprocket i6 and a clutch lloperable by :a lever i8. A second speed changing transmission i9 isadapted to be driven by a chain from the sprocket i6 and the output of.the transmission lll is coupled with the longitudinally .extendingdrive shaft 29 by means of a chain 2l. A shaft 26 is arranged to drive apair oi worm gear reducers 22 and 23, the slow speed output shafts ofwhich are coupled to the rollers l2 for propell ing the lapparatus alongthe pipe line Il as will be readily understood.

A shaft 2li which is driven by the transmission i4 through the clutch llis coupled with the input of a speed-reducing unit 23, the .output shaftof which is shown at 26 and as mounting a number of driving sprockets2l. Journaled in bearings provided in 'spaced brackets .rigidly securedto and depending below the .frame l0 is a longitudithe pipe line toposition the center of the pipe atv the geometric centers of thecircular apertures mentioned.

Rotatably mounted in the circular aperture in the plate is a yoke 33which has a grooved outer periphery as shown in Figure 4 to preventlongitudinal movement of the yoke 33 relative to the l plate 30 and tomaintain the geometric center of the yoke 33 at the geometric center ofthe circular opening through the plate 30. To rotate the yoke 33 aboutthe axis or geometric center of the circular opening in the plate 30 Iprovide a cable 34 which ts in a small peripheral groove formed in theyoke 33 and which is arranged to be moved by a small hand operatedwindlass 35 having an operating crank 36. For a purpose to be laterdescribed the cable 34 is provided with a quick make and breakconnection, not shown, but it should -be-obvious that when the parts areproperly assembled rotation of the crank 36 in one direction will rotatethe yoke 33 in one direction while rotation of the crank 36 in theopposite direction will rotate the yoke 33 oppositely.

The lapparatus of my invention utilizes a pluvrality of flexiblebrushing elements, each consisting of a multiplicity of circular wirebristle brushes 31 mounted on a flexible steel cable assembly preferablyconstructed of three separate steel cables 38 arranged triangularly asshown in Figure 6. Each of the brush units 31 is formed with a core orhub of lead or other suitable material for retaining the steel bristlesand such brushes are commonly made with sheet steel end plates 39(Figure 6). -In accordance with the present invention such hubs and endplates, if any, are apertured complementarily to the outer peripheralcontour of the triangular cable assembly formed of the steel cables 39so that the various brushes 31 of each brush assembly may be easilystrung over the cable assembly and so that rotation of the cableassembly will result in positive driving of each of the brushes. Theopposite ends of each of the cable assemblies are terminated byexteriorly threaded cap Ymembers 40 and it will be understood that inthe manufacture of a brushing assembly a cap 40 is rst brazed orsoldered onto one end of the multiple cable assembly, after which thebrushes 31 are strung onto the cable assembly from the free end thereof,after which said free end is capped by brazing or soldering-on one ofthe elements 4|).

In the specific embodiment illustrated three of the-flexible brushingshafts, each consisting of the parts 31 through 40, are employed, butfor the' forward .end of eachofthe shafts 4.| is attached one end of abrushing assembly by means of a universal joint 42. The opposite ends ofthe flexible brushing shafts are secured to splined shafts 43 by meansof the universal joints 44 and the shafts 43 are slidably received inspindles 45 which are journaled in the yoke 33 carried by the plate 30.The spindles 45 are circumferentially spaced about the yoke 33 and areoriented for rotation about axes parallel with the principal axis of thepipe The shafts 43 project through and forwardly of the spindles 45 andto Abias the shafts 43 in a forward direction coil springs 46 areinterposed between nuts 41 threaded onto the forward extremities of theshafts 43 and the forward ends of the spindles 45.

' The spindles 45 are so disposed on the yoke 33 that when the yoke isoriented to align its opening with the vertically downward opening inthe plate 30 one of the shafts 43 is aligned with one of the shafts 4|and as is apparent from Figures 2 and 3 the shafts 43 are allcircumferentially outward of the downward opening in the yoke 33 andplate 30, thereby permitting the entire machine assembly to be movedvertically down onto the pipe line Of course, when the yoke 33 is sooriented the shafts 4| and 43 supporting the respective brushing shaftsare substantially aligned.

I provide means to drive both ends of each of the flexible brushingshafts, and as shown in Figure l one of the shafts 4| is driven from theshaft 28 by means of a chain 46. Interconnecting this shaft 4| and asecond of the shafts 4| is a sprocket and chain assembly 41', while thethird of the shafts 4| is driven directly from the shaft 28 by means ofthe chain 48. At the forward end of the machine one of the spindles 45is driven directly from shaft 28 by means of chain 49, while this onespindle is interconnected with the other two spindles on the yoke 33 bymeans of the chain and sprocket assemblies 50. In order that the chainsmay gyrate well outside of the space taken by the pipe guide rollers 5|are journaled on the yoke 33 substantially as shown in Figures 2 and 3.The chain 49 is of the kind which can be readily adjusted as to lengthor, if desired, a suitable idling take-up sprocket, not shown, may beemployed in the assembly, as will be understood. One or the other ofthese expedients is required since the distance between the centers ofrotation of the shaft 28 and the spindle 45 to which the chain 49 isconnected will vary, depending on the extent of rotation of the yoke 33and the consequent extent of twisting of the brushing cables 31-40. Itshould be observed, however, that both ends of each of the iiexiblebrushing shafts 31-40 are positively driven in the same direction and atthe same speed and, further, that coil springs 46 allow the shafts 43 toslide rearwardly, thereby permitting the brushes 31 to bow outwardly topass over the common pipe joints or other reasonable projections whichmay protrude radially outward of the general cylindrical outer surfaceof the pipe The springs 46 perform the further important function ofmaintaining each of the brushes 31 in resilient pressure contact withthe outer surface of the pipe whereby an effective brushing action isattained.

To suport the machine when not in use and to facilitate the handlingthereof I provide a pair of spaced parallel pipe skids 5| which extendlongitudinally of the machine well below the lowermost portions of theplates 30, 3| and the yoke 33. To brace the plate 30 I provide the sidegusset plates 52 and similar plates 53 rigidly brace the plate 3l. Tobalance the machine on the pipe line Il a long laterally extending boom,not shown, is rigidly adapted to a fixed part of the apparatus as theframe I0, for example, all in accordance with usual practice.

It should now be apparent that l have provided an improved machine forcleaning and brushing the exterior surface of pipes and pipe lines,which accomplishes the objects initially set out. The apparatus issimple in design, easily constructed and maintained and dependable anddurable in service, while yet being of minimum Weight and highlyefiicient in operation. The apparatus may be quickly and easily appliedonto an unbroken pipe line and is readily adjustable for operation onpipes or pipe lines of different diameters.

By constructing the apparatus with four of the flexible brushing shaftsrather than with three as herein shown, the apparatus may be madeshorter in over-all length, which is of advantage when a scale breakingattachment (commonly termed a rattler) is mounted ahead of the brushingmachine and/ or when a coating apy plying attachment is to be mounted atthe rear end of the brushing machine.

It should now be apparent that the above specically described embodimentof the invention should be considered as illustrative only as 5obviously many changes may be made therein Without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be had tothe appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Pipe brushing apparatus comprising a frame supporting a pair oflongitudinally spaced fixed yokes adapted to be positioned over a pipeline, a movable yoke rotatably mounted on one of said xed yokes forrotation about the longitudinal axis of said pipe line, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced but longitudinally extending shafts journaledin the other of said fixed yokels, a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced but longitudinally extending shafts journaled in saldmovableyoke, flexible elongated brush shafts interconnecting the shaftsjournaled in said fixed and movable yokes and adapted to be driventhereby,

a plurality of contiguous brush wheels fixed on l each said brush shaftthroughout substantially the whole of the length of said brush shaft,said exible brush shafts and said wheels forming elongated flexiblerope-like brushing units adapted to have intimate spiral engagement withthe pipe to be cleaned, and p-ower means 'on said frame to drive theshafts journaled in said fixed yoke.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized in that each ofsaid brush shafts comprises a exible cable, said brush wheels beingstrung on said cable, and universal joints interconnecting the ends ofsaid cables to said shaf ts journaied in said fixed and movable yokes.

3. Apparatus according to claim l further including means to rotate saidmovable yoke about the longitudinal axis of said pipe line whereby saidflexible brush shafts may be twisted about the pipe to assume varyingspiraling positions.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including transmission meansinterconnecting said power means and said shafts journaled in saidmovable yoke to drive said last mentioned shafts.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a pair of spacedparallel skids secured to the lower free ends of the legs of said yokesand extending substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of saidpipe line.

6. Pipe brushing apparatus comprising a frame supporting a pair oflongitudinally spaced fixed yokes adapted to be positioned over a pipelength, a movable yoke rotatably mounted on one of said fixed yolies forrotation about the longitudinal axis of said pipe length, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced flexible elongated brush shafts journaled atone end in one of said fixed yokes and at the other end in said movableyoke, a plurality of contiguous brush Wheels fixed on each said brushshaft throughout substantially the Whole of the length of said brushshaft, said ilexible brush shafts and said Wheels forming elongatediiexible rope-like brushing units adapted to have intimate spiralengagement with the pipe to be cleaned, and power means on said frame torotate each of said brush shafts about their own respective axes.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 further including yielding means tomaintain said flexible brush shafts in a taut condition in alongitudinal direction.

CLIFFORD F. MORAIN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,218,005 Schlemmer Mar. 6, 1917 1,809,725 Roe June 9, 19312,050,036 Boax Aug. 4, 1936 2,178,912 Leahey Nov. 7, 1939 2,238,720Duaei Apr. 15, 1941 2,427,129 Fields Sept. 9, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 277,801 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1927

